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'''Texas''', a territory of Mexico from 1821-1835 and the '''Republic of Texas''' from 1836–1845, became the 28th state to join the union on December 29, 1845--this state has the largest [[conservative]] state in population, and is predicted to surpass [[California]] in population within a few decades. Texas is the second largest in population after [[California]] and has the second largest land-area after [[Alaska]]. It has the largest land-area in the continental [[US]]. Before its admission, it was its own [[Republic of Texas|country]], having gained [[Texas War of Independence|independence]] from [[Mexico]].

'''Texas''', a territory of Mexico from 1821-1835 and the '''Republic of Texas''' from 1836–1845, became the 28th state to join the union on December 29, 1845—this state has the largest [[conservative]] state in population, and is predicted to surpass [[California]] in population within a few decades. Texas is the second largest in population after [[California]] and has the second largest land-area after [[Alaska]]. It has the largest land-area in the continental [[US]]. Before its admission, it was its own [[Republic of Texas|country]], having gained [[Texas War of Independence|independence]] from [[Mexico]].

The capital of Texas is [[Austin]], and the largest city is [[Houston]]. Texas was solidly [[Democrat]]ic from about 1900 to the 1970s, then [[Republican]]s gradually took control and now dominate the political atmosphere of the state. Nevertheless, the largest cities of Houston, [[San Antonio]], Austin, [[Dallas]], and El Paso are heavily Democrat. Houston in a non-partisan election chose a [[liberal]] Democrat as mayor on December 5, 2015.

The capital of Texas is [[Austin]], and the largest city is [[Houston]]. Texas was solidly [[Democrat]]ic from about 1900 to the 1970s, then [[Republican]]s gradually took control and now dominate the political atmosphere of the state. Nevertheless, the largest cities of Houston, [[San Antonio]], Austin, [[Dallas]], and El Paso are heavily Democrat. Houston in a non-partisan election chose a [[liberal]] Democrat as mayor on December 5, 2015.

{{main|History of Texas}}

{{main|History of Texas}}

Six national flags have flown over Texas. Spain, France (which had a small brief settlement), Mexico, the [[Republic of Texas]], the [[Confederate States of America]], and the [[United States of America]] have ruled Texas. <ref name="txonlinehandbook">http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online

Six national flags have flown over Texas. Spain, France (which had a small brief settlement), Mexico, the [[Republic of Texas]], the [[Confederate States of America]], and the [[United States of America]] have ruled Texas.<ref name="txonlinehandbook">http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online

</ref>

</ref>

Texas leads the Nation in fossil fuel reserves and in non-hydropower renewable energy potential. Texas crude oil reserves represent almost one-fourth of total U.S. oil reserves, and Texas natural gas reserves account for almost three-tenths of total U.S. natural gas reserves. Although Texas’s oil reserves are found throughout the State in several geologic basins, the largest remaining reserves are concentrated in the Permian Basin of West Texas, which contains more than 20 of the Nation’s top 100 oil fields. Similarly, deposits of natural gas are found in abundance in several Texas production basins, with the largest fields heavily concentrated in the East Texas Basin in the northeastern part of the State. Texas’s fossil fuel reserves also include substantial deposits of lignite coal, found in narrow bands in the Gulf Coast region, and bituminous coal, found in north central and southwestern Texas.<ref> See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=TX Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>  

Texas leads the Nation in fossil fuel reserves and in non-hydropower renewable energy potential. Texas crude oil reserves represent almost one-fourth of total U.S. oil reserves, and Texas natural gas reserves account for almost three-tenths of total U.S. natural gas reserves. Although Texas’s oil reserves are found throughout the State in several geologic basins, the largest remaining reserves are concentrated in the Permian Basin of West Texas, which contains more than 20 of the Nation’s top 100 oil fields. Similarly, deposits of natural gas are found in abundance in several Texas production basins, with the largest fields heavily concentrated in the East Texas Basin in the northeastern part of the State. Texas’s fossil fuel reserves also include substantial deposits of lignite coal, found in narrow bands in the Gulf Coast region, and bituminous coal, found in north central and southwestern Texas.<ref>See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=TX Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>  

Texas is also rich in renewable energy potential, including wind, solar, and biomass resources. Wind resource areas in the Texas Panhandle, along the Gulf Coast south of Galveston, and in the mountain passes and ridgetops of the Trans-Pecos offer Texas some of the greatest wind power potential in the United States. Solar power potential is also among the highest in the country, with high levels of direct solar radiation (suitable to support large-scale solar power plants) concentrated in West Texas. Due to its large agricultural and forestry sectors, Texas has an abundance of biomass energy resources. Although Texas is not known as a major hydropower State, substantial untapped potential exists in several river basins, including the Colorado River of Texas and the Lower Red.  

Texas is also rich in renewable energy potential, including wind, solar, and biomass resources. Wind resource areas in the Texas Panhandle, along the Gulf Coast south of Galveston, and in the mountain passes and ridgetops of the Trans-Pecos offer Texas some of the greatest wind power potential in the United States. Solar power potential is also among the highest in the country, with high levels of direct solar radiation (suitable to support large-scale solar power plants) concentrated in West Texas. Due to its large agricultural and forestry sectors, Texas has an abundance of biomass energy resources. Although Texas is not known as a major hydropower State, substantial untapped potential exists in several river basins, including the Colorado River of Texas and the Lower Red.  

Even today Texas is in the forefront of education in the country as the [[No Child Left Behind Act|No Child Left Behind( NCLB) Act]] is being implemented.  The administration of George W. Bush used Texas as a model for many of the reforms in the NCLB Act because of his previous experiences as governor of Texas.  

Even today Texas is in the forefront of education in the country as the [[No Child Left Behind Act|No Child Left Behind( NCLB) Act]] is being implemented.  The administration of George W. Bush used Texas as a model for many of the reforms in the NCLB Act because of his previous experiences as governor of Texas.  

In 2006 Texas ranked #25 out of 50 states on a composite index of public education.<ref>See "Which State Is Smartest?" (2007) at [http://www.morganquitno.com/edrank.htm] </ref>

In 2006 Texas ranked #25 out of 50 states on a composite index of public education.<ref>[http://www.morganquitno.com/edrank.htm See "Which State Is Smartest?" (2007) at]</ref>

Texas ranks:<ref> see Carol Keeton Strayhorn, Texas State Comproller, "Major Challenges Facing Texas Education Today" at [http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/wwstand/wws0512ed/]</ref>

Texas ranks:<ref>see Carol Keeton Strayhorn, Texas State Comproller, "Major Challenges Facing Texas Education Today" at [http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/wwstand/wws0512ed/]</ref>

* #49 in verbal SAT scores in the nation (493) and #46 in average math SAT scores (502).  

* #49 in verbal SAT scores in the nation (493) and #46 in average math SAT scores (502).  

* #36 in the nation in high school graduation rates (68%).  

* #36 in the nation in high school graduation rates (68%).  

* [[Baylor University]]

* [[Baylor University]]

* [[Rice University]]

* [[Rice University]]

* [[Texas_A_and_M_University | Texas A&M]]

* [[Texas A and M University|Texas A&M]]

* [[University of Texas at Austin]]

* [[University of Texas at Austin]]

*Wooster, Ralph A. and Robert A. Calvert, eds. ''Texas Vistas'' (1987) reprinted scholarly essays

*Wooster, Ralph A. and Robert A. Calvert, eds. ''Texas Vistas'' (1987) reprinted scholarly essays

==External Links==

==External links==

* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Texas.html Texas Cities] on [[City-data.com]]

* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Texas.html Texas Cities] on [[City-data.com]]

{{USstates}}

{{USstates}}

[[Category : Texas| ]]

[[Category:Texas| ]]

[[Category : Western United States]]

[[Category:Western United States]]